La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
I never did get around to posting Wednesday. We were out for coffee and second breakfast. Merchi was here late and we don’t like starting lunch while she’s still working, so lunch was late. I had some reading to do for San Geraldo (who’s close to completing his autobiography), as well as photo editing. There was laundry to do. And then I decided it was a beautiful day and I needed to get outside.
My idea was to walk back to the neighborhood surrounding the archaeology museum and get more exterior photos. It became a bigger day than that when I discovered one of five Flora exhibits, this one in the 16th-century Palace of the Páez de Castillejo next door to the museum (and where the museum was originally housed). Flora is the International Festival of Flowers with activities all over the city this month including installations by creators from Spain, Mexico, Brazil, and the United States. I had seen signs for it around town but hadn’t taken the time to find out what it was. So, when I arrived at the plaza and saw a poster for it at the palace, I figured it was time for me to learn something.
I found the first installation called “Arbor” by Paula Anta of Spain to be beautiful and unusual. The background music and bird sounds were a perfect complement. If only the visitors would just shut up, I kept thinking. I wanted to explain to them that this was supposed to be an immersion experience. Shut up and take it in! But what do I know? I got over myself and enjoyed it.
I then wandered the neighborhood (I have so much more to share) and walked home. I had picked up a flier from the exhibit and learned the Palace of the Merced, right by our apartment, also had an installation. I stopped there on my way home. Entirely different and also a pleasure (and I’ll share that next time).
My arm is still slightly sore from the COVID vaccine, but that’s my only whine. The Kid Brother couldn’t get his mobile to work again Tuesday, so we had a quick phone chat instead. I told him I had walked for hours every day touring the city with Tom and Jim (more of those days still to come) and he said, “Ya mean a 3-hour tour?” I then sang him the “Gilligan’s Island” theme song before we said good-bye. It amazes me that he still wants me to do that and enjoys the entire rendition.
I have photos to edit for San Geraldo, more laundry to do, and then a serious workout this afternoon. All this walking and very little stretching has tightened my legs to cramping point at night. Time to loosen up. Today’s photos begin above as I pass the back door of the palace. Then below, I come around the corner to see the small balcony and the main entrance.
No pude publicar el miércoles. Salimos a tomar un café y a desayunar. Merchi llegó tarde y no nos gusta empezar a comer mientras ella sigue trabajando, así que el almuerzo se retrasó. Tenía que leer algo para San Geraldo (que está a punto de terminar su autobiografía) y editar fotos. Había que lavar la ropa. Y entonces decidí que hacía un día precioso y necesitaba salir.
Mi idea era caminar de vuelta al barrio que rodea el museo de arqueología y tomar más fotos del exterior. El día se convirtió en algo aún más especial cuando descubrí una de las cinco exposiciones de Flora, esta vez en el Palacio de los Páez de Castillejo, del siglo XVI, junto al museo (y donde este se alzaba originalmente). Flora es el Festival Internacional de las Flores con actividades por toda la ciudad este mes, incluyendo instalaciones de creadores de España, México, Brasil, y Estados Unidos. Había visto carteles por la ciudad, pero no me había tomado el tiempo de averiguar qué era. Así que, cuando llegué a la plaza y vi un cartel en el palacio, pensé que era hora de aprender algo.
La primera instalación, “Arbor”, de la española Paula Anta, me pareció preciosa e inusual. La música de fondo y los cantos de los pájaros se complementaban a la perfección. «Ojalá los visitantes se callaran», pensaba. Quería explicarles que se suponía que esta sería una experiencia inmersiva. ¡Que se callaran y lo disfrutaran! Pero ¿qué sé yo? Me sobrepuse y lo disfruté.
Luego caminé por el barrio (tengo mucho más que compartir) y caminé a casa. Había recogido un folleto de la exposición y me enteré de que el Palacio de la Merced, justo al lado de nuestro apartamento, también tenía una instalación. Me detuve allí de camino a casa. Totalmente diferente y también un placer (y lo compartiré la próxima vez).
Todavía me duele un poco el brazo por la vacuna contra la COVID, pero esa es mi única queja. El Hermanito no pudo hacer funcionar su móvil el martes, así que hablamos un rato por teléfono. Le conté que había caminado horas todos los días recorriendo la ciudad con Tom y Jim (más de esos días aún están por venir), y me dijo: “¿Te refieres a un tour de tres horas?”. Luego le canté la canción de “La isla de Gilligan” antes de despedirnos. Me sorprende que todavía quiera que lo haga y que disfrute de toda la interpretación.
Tengo que editar fotos para San Geraldo, lavar ropa y entrenar mucho esta tarde. De tanto caminar y tan pocos estiramientos, me han tensado las piernas hasta el punto de darme calambres por la noche. Es hora de relajarme. Las fotos de hoy empiezan arriba, al pasar por la puerta trasera del palacio. Luego, abajo, doblo la esquina para ver el pequeño balcón y la entrada principal.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
I might have taken one of the larger branches, broken it off, and threatened to smack people if they didn’t shut up!!
Other than that, the architecture, again, is fabulous, and the exhibit is beautiful … I could take a three-hour tour!
Bob:
Ya mean a three-hour tour? You can’t hear me, but I’m singing the song.
I love it, the light, the flora, the chatter, the very polite panda sitting there.
A professor in law school, giving instructions for an exam, “if you are not sure of the answer, writing something relevant to the facts and the legal issues, you will get partial credit.” She continued, “I used to simply say write something, then one semester I received an answer that was all of the words to the Gilligan’s Island Theme song, original and revised, I did give them a point for giving both versions.”
David:
What a great story!
I now have a three hour tour on repeat, thanks to KB! Those branches remind me of the artwork you showed us recently with the artist statement we didn’t like. I wonder now if it was a reference. Boud.
Boud:
You can count on KB (and me) for ear worms. Do you think this exhibit is an example of “Nature claim[ing] its right to walk freely and exercise the nature of Nature”?
Exactly! Couldn’t have said it better myself, that’s a lie.
Wait. What? The panda bear? Did I miss something?
Yes. Why must humans chatter all the time? Can’t we ever just shut the hell up and take it all in?
Moon Sigh
The panda’s there alright – it’s right there, in black and white.
Raybeard:
It IS, isn’t it?!?
Moon Sigh:
Nothing missed; just a young woman and her panda sitting on the bench.
Even worse is when they chatter about nothing that has anything to do with the exhibit… as that group did. (Although maybe not worse. It makes me crazy when I have to listen to someone loudly share their “insights” on what they’re seeing and mansplaining it to others — although some women do it, too.)
Oh, how awesome!
And I love how they used the interior patio to create that cocoon like impression. Great installation. And you are right, they should not be babbling away…
XOXO
Sixpence
Sixpence:
Years from now, what I’ll remember from that exhibit is the babbling.
I hate when people just cannot STFU, though it looked like and interesting event.
Rade:
I did manage to tune them out, but it really is ashame when people don’t try and take in what they’re experiencing (and STFU).
Cool exhibit! You should just watch your video with no sound . . . . 🙉
Wilma:
Ha! I did. But I did really like the background and can manage to tune the talking out.
Gilligan’s Island was my favorite show as a kid (followed closely by The Brady Bunch). I don’t mind either theme song getting stuck in my head.
Kelly:
The premise of Gilligan’s Island was so absurd that it was enjoyable. Nothing needed to make sense. And now I’ll sing The Brady Bunch.
Now the 3-hour tour song is going through my head!
Michael:
You’re welcome!
The ‘Arbor’ install is very interesting. I like it……leaving something for our imaginations.
Funny how certain life experiences stick with us. KB is pro!
Jim:
Chuck has been living on reruns his entire life. And he’s got the right brother for it as I remember all those songs.
Unusual exhibition! I look forward to seeing more floral inspiration.
Jx
PS I’ve never seen Gilligan’s Island (although I’ve heard the name). Probably one of those things that “never crossed the pond”. Like Gidget, which I’ve seen people in the blogosphere reminisce about, The Honeymooners or The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Other shows that are the fabric of US comedy like Seinfeld, The Three Stooges or I Love Lucy were shown briefly on British telly, but never made an impression and disappeared without trace.
Jon:
Gilligan’s Island was based on an absurd premise and each episode was absurd. Because of the original premise, you just went along for the ride. Great characters. I did love Gidget. I don’t think Sally Field likes to be reminded of it. My brother worships The Honeymooners. The Mary Tyler Moore Show is a classic. I loved Seinfeld, but I know a lot of non-New Yorkers who couldn’t connect. We once tried to watch it with SG’s mother (from South Dakota) and after 10 minutes she said, ”I’ll just go wash the dishes.”
Glad to hear SG is almost done writing his autobiography. Who is going to play him and you in the movie adaptation?
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. Jx
Jon:
Smart ass. Who will Dolly play?
Debra:
I have some hunky ideas for SG. As for me, either Matt Bomer or Tig Notaro.
I enjoyed the video, even as people talked.
Kirk:
Truthfully, so did I.
The stretching and the walking are so important. And you always find the best things to walk to! Thanks for sharing. Olivia
Olivia:
I’ve covered so much ground here and there’s still so much more to discover. I have a backlog of 100s of photos to share.
Oh! I do like that installation. I could live with just one of those limbs coming out from one of my walls.
Pretty fancy back door and I can see Juliet on the little corner balcony longing to be out on the street.
ellen abbott:
The installation took me by surprise. I loved it. Some of the doors are incredible works of art. For some reason, that balcony is a big deal in terms of the structure. It’s written about a lot.